Month: May 2018

Many travelers are familiar with Masai Mara, Buffalo Springs, Shimba Hills and Samburu National Reserves but few know or visit Bisanadi National Reserve, hence the reason it still maintains its authentic appearance and numerous wildlife species. It is found in Isiolo County within the Meru Conservation Area near Meru National Park (found at the northern edge of the Reserve) yet receives fewer tourists compared to the latter. Other Protected Areas that lie within the Meru Conservation Area include Mwingi National Reserve and Kora National Park.

Bisanadi National Reserve covers an area of 606 square kilometers (234 square miles/60600 hectares) comprising of mainly savannah grasslands, combretum thickets, riverine wetlands with sedge and forests on the banks of River Tana.

Once you discover the interesting attractions Bisanadi National Reserve offers, you will regret not visiting it during your Kenyan safari. Also regarded as a dispersal area for other National Parks especially Meru National Park within the Conservation areas, Bisanadi is a haven to a wide range of wildlife species such as wildebeests, impalas, white rhinos, giraffes, Lions, cheetahs, elands, hartebeests, African buffaloes and African elephants among others as well as more than 400 species of birds including sunbirds, malachite kingfishers, African fish eagles, Pied Kingfishers and others.

Other phenomenal places to explore within this Game Reserve include the beautiful Adamson Falls in Meru National Park, Rivers Tana and Rojewero that are ideal for fishing adventures, boat rides and many others.

CLIMATE OF BISANADI NATIONAL RESERVE AND THE BEST TIME TO VISIT

Bisanadi National Reserve is dry and warm all year round with two rainy seasons-short rains from November to October and long rains from March to May while the dry season is from December to March and June to September with average temperature being 25 Celsius degrees during the day and generally cool temperatures at night.

PERFECT TIME TO VISIT BISANADI NATIONAL RESERVE

The dry months of June to September as well as December to March. However, visitors can explore this part of Kenya all year round.

ACTIVITIES WITHIN BISANADI NATIONAL RESERVE

Safaris to this part of Kenya allow tourists to enjoy;

Wildlife viewing

With a place gifted with several game species such as elephants, rhinos, leopards, hartebeests, lions, giraffes, cheetahs and impalas, African buffaloes, wildlife viewing is therefore the number one activity for every tourist to Bisanadi National Reserve.

Boat rides

Boat rides are conducted within Rojewero and Tana Rivers offering tourists with the chance of spotting several aquatic species of birds.

These tribes have their boundaries and live in communities marked by Bisanadi Reserve and tourists can enjoy cultural tours to learn more about their lifestyles and unique culture and traditions.

Bird watching

The Banks River Tana are one of the important bird spots in the National Reserve with numerous aquatic bird species. With over 40o species of birds including malachite kingfishers, African fish eagles, Pied Kingfishers and many others, the area shouldn’t miss on your itinerary.

HOW TO GET TO BISANADI NATIONAL RESERVE

With chartered flights from Korbessa airstrips to Meru National Park, tourists can be able to connect to Bisanadi National Reserve but also by road, this site can be accessed using 4WD Vehicles to enter the Park via Murera gate of Meru National Park.

ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES WITHIN BISANADI NATIONAL RESERVE

There are unfortunately no places of stay within this National Reserve but many options of comfortable overnights and dinner are found within the nearby Meru National Park like Leopard Rock as well as within Samburu and Shaba National Reserves.

While Uganda adventures mainly depend on mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest and Mgahinga National park, chimpanzee adventures and other wildlife, if you are planning your trip to this remarkable country, expect a lot more for you to make their dreams come true in Africa. If you are looking for the most outstanding African adventures then Mount Elgon and Sipi waterfalls are a few most exceptional tourist sites that you should consider in your travel plan. A trip to these remarkable destinations is one way for you to get out of the noisy Kampala capital city. Mount Elgon featured among Africa’s towering mountain range but given volcanic effects that occurred many years ago, its height reduced. It stands at altitude 4321 meters above sea level. This remarkable mountain today features the world’s biggest intact mountain caldera. It features as the 4th tallest mountain in East Africa

For adventure enthusiasts on Uganda safari, this is the best spot for you to get thrilled by the most exceptional mountaineering adventures of lifetime. It features among the very few easier mountains to climb even when you are not skilled enough and this means that even an average climber can realize his or her dreams. If you are a hiker, there is no need for you to be worried about hiking adventures given that Mount Elgon doesn’t require one to be experienced. Within this volcano, there are experienced guides and porters to take you through your adventure in and around this incredible mountain.

While you are on safari to Mount Elgon, expect to catch a glimpse at its incredible vegetation cover especially as you climb to the top. Around Mount Elgon’s foothills, you come across thick forests and given that the area experiences heavy amount of rainfall the tree species are in most cases covered by lichen, vine like lianas and epiphytes and the forest floor seemingly looks to be carpeted with ferns and flowering plants like wild orchids. About 2000 meters, bamboo forest thrives and as you climb you will find vast woodland and giant heathers come with incredible grass and flowers. Afro montane zone also comes with its unique lobelias and groundsel. Mount Elgon offers the most exhilarating mountaineering adventures.

As you get down Mount Elgon base, you will come across the most powerful and spectacular Sipi falls which feature among the few most remarkable tourist attractions that Eastern Uganda offers to the world travelers.

Spending your vacation around Mount Elgon National Park rewards you with not only climbing adventures but also exceptional wildlife encounters, birdlife, nature walks, cave exploration and cultural experiences of Bamasaba people who call this area their home. Alternatively, you can also engage in mountain biking. Travelers can pay a visit to forest exploration center and several trails that are found around the baseline of Mount Elgon. The forest center lies next to Sipi town and first acted as educational center and later it turned to be a trail head for travelers who come for mountaineering in the park.

The site is the best for one to kick start cave exploration and it comes with incredible waterfalls, valleys and escarpments. For bird lovers, this is the best area for you to spot out unique birds like Hartlaub’s Turaco; Eastern Bronze napped pigeon, Lemon Dove, African hill babbler, black throated wattle eye, thick billed honey guide, mountain yellow warbler, Grey cuckoo shrike, Alpine chat, Dusky Turtle Dove and many more.

You will find several trails for visitors who love nature walks. You can embark on a half day nature walk with a tour guide from Uganda Wildlife Authority and spot out most of the park’s incredible floral and faunal species as well as explore more about the Sipi falls. The waterfalls come with its unique sceneries and amazing roar. A visit to Sipi falls will amaze you with its outstanding aerial views. For unforgettable adventures in Mount Elgon and Sipi falls, you will need to come along with good hiking books but should be light weight and waterproof, jeans, long sleeved shirts/t-shirt, light rain jacket, bottle water, wide brimmed hat, back pack, packed lunch and many more.

Other things to do in Mount Elgon and Sipi fall Area include rock climbing which takes you through the park and the Sipi falls. This adventure is safe and it is mainly guided and supervised and it can equally be enjoyed by visitors on safari to Murchison Falls National Park, Sipi Falls, Kidepo Valley National Park and many more.

Trout fishing

Mount Elgon and Sipi falls feature as the only area in the pearl of Africa where visitors can catch Mountain Trout. This is conducted in the Sipi falls on River Sipi. This adventure is a catch and release experience.

Cultural experiences

You can also explore Abayudaya Jews of Uganda while on safari to Mount Elgon and Sipi Falls. This community has thrived in the area for over 100 years. There is also Budadiri community walk and Imbalu circumcision.

In conclusion, Mount Elgon and the Sipi falls feature among the very few amazing tourist sites that are worth visiting while on safari to Eastern side of Uganda. Besides hiking adventures, this features numerous tourist activities that are worth adding in bucket list.

Established in 1983, Kerio Valley National Reserve is situated within the Kerio Valley, Kenya a branch of the Mighty Rift Valley. It covers an area of about 66 square kilometers and it is run by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). The Kerio Valley is situated between the stunning Cherangani and Elgeyo hills. The Elgeyo escarpment stands at altitude of about 1830 meters and the valley at 1200 meters. It features mostly the semi tropical vegetation on the slopes while the floor of the valley consists of dry thorn bush. Kerio Valley in Kenya is situated in Iten, about 30 kilometers away from Eldoret town about six hours’ drive from Nairobi. This valley is 80 kilometers wide and 10 kilometers wide at its broadest. Kerio Valley National Reserve is located in west of the crocodile infested Kerio River in Kenya. It features variety of bird species and amazing sceneries. Its establishment led to increase in the number of wildlife species especially elephants, leopards, buffaloes, bush bucks, lion, rhinos, waterbucks, warthogs and many more. The best time of the year is from July to August when the area is dry and temperatures are not that much.

Kerio Valley National Reserve is a natural wonder of its own and most visitors who pay a visit to the Great Rift Valley find themselves in exploring this area. It provides remarkable views of the Kerio Valley. While on safari to this reserve, you will also have opportunity to catch the view of the Torok Falls and Chebloch gorge. Visitors also have a chance to experience the elephant migration through the Rimoi Reserve. For a few of you who will be lucky and keen enough, you will be amazed by this lifetime experience. There is a museum next to Kerio Valley National Reserve in Eldoret which refuges most of the artifacts and other cultural exhibits. This museum in Eldoret is situated on the steep drop from where you can easily view the mighty rift valley and Lake Baringo. This reserve is credited for its incredible landscape and culture.

How to get to Kerio Valley National Reserve

There is a nearby airport at Eldoret which connects up to Nairobi. The other alternative is by using bus from Nairobi where you will spend about 4 hours to Eldoret. From Eldoret you can get a taxi for to drive off for yet another 50 kilometers.

Best time to visit Kerio Valley National Reserve

Like most protected areas, Kerio Valley National Reserve is an all year round safari destination. However, this reserve can be visited from December to February. During this period, most parts of the reserve remain dry making it an ideal season for visitors to engage in most of the safaris.

Where to stay in Kerio Valley National Reserve

The perfect areas for your stay at Kerio Valley National Reserve include the Kerio View Hotel however; you are encouraged to make your booking as early as possible at least from January or February. There are basic accommodation options around Iten one of which includes the high altitude training center. Other accommodation options include Sega Safari Lodge. This lodge is located within the depths of the mighty rift valley about 320 kilometers from Nairobi in the beautiful Kerio Valley, just next to Rimoi Game Reserve and 32 kilometers from Kabarnet and 76 kilometers along Eldoret-Nyaru road through Fluor spar. It provides the most tranquil atmosphere for a few of you who wish to get out of the noisy urban centers.

Lastly, Kerio Valley National Reserve is equally an amazing safari destination in Kenya that shouldn’t miss out in your bucket list. It is famous for its birdlife, cultural experiences and mammal species.